Well Enough To Not Get Singled Out

It is all about pacing yourself. In your grade school days, so many make the mistake of going all out right away and gagging for breath the rest of the way or just not caring and walking the whole time. Both actions ended up getting the teacher's attention in a bad way, so you find it best to make sure just how fast the majority of students are going and keep with the pack. Parisa seems to have the same idea, though it looks like she needs to put in a little more effort than you to stay even as the class runs around the lined circle that surrounds the gym floor.

There are a few outliers in both directions, with two boys and a girl that are probably on whatever kind of track and field team a place like this might have lapping your little cluster twice already. Lagging behind enough that said cluster has already passed them once and is approaching for the second time, are a few of the less visibly fit students including that black and purple haired girl.

In fact, that girl looks like she is having the worst issues, as her pale face has already turned quite red, she is sweating hard enough her t-shirt is clinging to her torso (and once again giving the hornier part of your brain to marvel at just how big and shapely they are), and her legs are visibly wobbling. As you draw close, you start to slow down, Parisa bouncing a curious look between the two of you before giving you another mischievous smile and moving on at her current pace.

Once you pull even with the struggling short stack, you look her over in concern and ask, "You alright?"

She does not respond, biting her lower lip as she makes an attempt to go a little faster that almost instantly sputters out. Realizing she is not going to be able to get away from you, the stripe haired woman looks up at you and moans, "Hate... gym."

You do feel a bit of sympathy for her. It is true that doing at least a little exercise every day is good for your health, but you need to find the right kind and this clearly is not it for her. Looking over your shoulder you notice there is another poor student lagging further behind, a guy who looks to be another more-brains-than-brawn type not suited for this environment. "You're doing okay," you whisper, "Just stay ahead of him for now."

She looks over her shoulder as well and nods, finding a second wind that allows her to stay moving at her current speed. It proves effective as the slower poke behind her falters and falls further behind, giving your new companion a small confidence boost as you stay by her side until Professor Mourn has arbitrarily decided that you have all suffered enough.

"Take a breather and get some water," he barks, "Need ya ta have some more in ya to sweat out when we start crunches!"

You hear a puppy dog-like whimper by your side followed by the sound of someone dropping to their knees. You look down at your new, exhausted, friend and give her a supportive smile as you ask, "You want me to grab you a water bottle while you catch your breath?"

She gives you a perplexed expression before looking over at just how far away the water bottles Mourn has set up are from your current location. "... Please."

You nod and go over to retrieve said water bottles, Parisa standing near-by as she sips her own source of re-hydration. She spots you and gives you a small wave before she notices the second water bottle in your hands and looks over towards the black and purple haired girl. She then looks back at you with a wink and... did she just give you a thumbs-up?

As your brain tries to process what the hell that could mean, you return to the panting girl's side. She snaps the water bottle out of your hands and begins to GUZZLE the water down. "H-Hey," you say, trying to keep your tone light, "Easy there. You'll need to pee halfway through the crunches if you down it all at once."

Once she finishes about half the bottle the girl licks her lips and suddenly looks away from you. "... Viki," she mutters.

"Huh?"

"M-My name..." she says, "It's... Viki."

You introduce yourself in turn and she gives you a small smile before she looks away again, biting her lower lip. "... Why are you helping me?" she asks.

"Because I want to," you reply, "It seemed right."

Maybe it is your own tiredness making you sloppy, but you then find yourself blurting out, "Especially considering how cute you are."

Viki's face turns a different shade of red than it was before and what your mouth did finally catches up with your brain. "I mean, I wasn't doing it just to hit on you or anything," you yelp, "I just... I mean... I..."

She looks back at you again, still red-faced but managing to keep eye contact as she asks a question. "A-Are you... free... after c-class?"